One thing that will get most students at the University of Illinois fired up is athletics. There is never a shortage of Illini fans for any football game or basketball game. One sport that is commonly overlooked is lacrosse. The athletes on the women’s lacrosse team work hard and it shows. They had ended their fall season with a phenomenal 7-1 record.
Meg LoBianco, a senior majoring in advertising and minoring in communications spends her last year on campus playing for the women’s lacrosse team. Also training for a half of a marathon, Her Campus Illinois sits down with Meg to get the inside scoop.
HC: How long have you played lacrosse for?
 I have been playing for six years.
HC: What got you interested in lacrosse?
One of my old coaches from a different sport got me into it. I went to a practice and loved it. I also had friends that played lacrosse.
HC: Can you describe an average practic?
We stretch and do conditioning first. Then we do lacrosse shuttles and we do different defensive and offensive drills.  We also do a lot of sprinting and agility drills. At the end of practice we usually scrimmage.
HC: Does the team do anything before games to get pumped for the game?
We cheer right before we go out onto the field; the cheer is all about Illinois. It is very loud and it gets us all to connect. We also throw a pasta party a week before a tournament.
HC: Is there any difference between the fall season and the spring season?
Yes. The fall season is almost like a warm-up for the spring. The spring season is more strict and intense; we play to win our conference and then move onto the regional tournament and hopefully onto nationals.  Â
HC: What is the team dynamic like on and off the field?
We are such a close knit group. We’re teammates on the field and friends off the field. There aren’t any clicks on the team. We also do a lot of social events together!
HC: What else are you in involved in on campus?
I’m in the sorority Alpha Xi Delta, and I am in International Illini. I studied abroad in Australia, and I spent two weeks in London and two weeks in Paris.
HC: Is it hard to balance school, a social life and the lacrosse team?
Yes, I have lacrosse practice three to four times a week so there is a crunch for time!
HC: How does it feel knowing that this will be your last season before graduating?
I will be sad to leave such a wonderful team. It is also my last season playing an organized sport unless I find a women’s league.
HC: How has being on the women’s lacrosse team enhanced your college experience?
My best memories are with the team. When I think of the University of Illinois, the women’s lacrosse team is one of the first things that come to mind.
Support the women’s lacrosse team at their home tournament at the turf fields April 9th , the team looks forward to another great season in the spring!